EPS@ISEP | The European Project Semester (EPS) at ISEP

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report [2014/06/27 15:30] – [7.5 Tests and Results] team1report [2022/11/03 10:45] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 In the context of starting to develop an educational toy for children, the target of this chapter was to design a biologically inspired swimming robot that has an easily controllable heading direction in the horizontal and vertical level as well as customizable features, which can teach children about the physics of floating objects. In the context of starting to develop an educational toy for children, the target of this chapter was to design a biologically inspired swimming robot that has an easily controllable heading direction in the horizontal and vertical level as well as customizable features, which can teach children about the physics of floating objects.
  
-Based on the considered biological principles and assessment of existing fish-like robots, a BCF propulsion-mechanism was adopted for the robot. The robot has along, articulated tail with a fin at its end to generate forward propulsion, a pair of pectoral fins located at the sides of the body to control the swimming depth and one at the bottom to steer left/right. The main achievement of this development is an innovative approach to actuate and change the undulating motion patterns of the robot´s segmented tail, which resembles the undulating motion along fishes´ bodies. +Based on the considered biological principles and assessment of existing fish-like robots, a BCF propulsion-mechanism was adopted for the robot. The robot has along, articulated tail with a fin at its end to generate forward propulsion,a pair of pectoral fins located at the sides of the body to control the swimming depth and one at the bottom to steer left/right. The main achievement of this development is an innovative approach to actuate and change the undulating motion patterns of the robot´s segmented tail, which resembles the undulating motion along fishes´ bodies. 
  
-After selecting suitable components it was started to implement a prototype. At the current status (14th June, 2014) this process has not been completed. The experimental evaluation of the prototype´s functionalities will be added to this document as soon as obtained.+After selecting suitable components a prototype was implemented. During the experimental evaluation of the prototype´s functionalities, some flaws of the waterproofing mechanisms became apparent. Nevertheless, first tests in the pool revealed the potential of the new tail mechanism to effectively propel the robot forward. A list of possible adaptations was proposed to improve the tail functionalities in the future. The main modification will be to increase the dimensions of component to improve the transfer of forces. Also, the prototype’s longitudinal mass distribution needs to be improved and the tests of steering and submersing performed, which was not possible in the time available for performing tests. 
 + 
 +As soon as also these tests have been performed successfully, the prototype can be considered a fully functional swimming robot with submerging capabilities and an innovative propulsion system.
  
-If all tests were done and received positive outcome than prototype can be pronounced as fully functional swimming robot with submerging capabilities and an innovative propulsion system. 
 ===== 8. Conclusions ===== ===== 8. Conclusions =====
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 +
 +The main purpose of this report was to start developing a construction kit for a swimming robot with biomimetic features in order to arouse children´s curiosity and enthusiasm for technology. The research focused on enabling children to experiment on the physics of floating objects and drawing attention to sustainability problems of the oceans. During the entire development, the team had to bear in mind the marketability of the final product, sustainability issues as well as ethical and deontological concerns.
 +
 +At first, this chapter presents and discusses the main achievements obtained during this project. Finally, an outlook on future developments is going to be provided.
 +
 ==== 8.1 Discussion ==== ==== 8.1 Discussion ====
-//Provide here what was achieved (related with the initial objectives) and what is missing (related with the initial objectives) of the project.//+ 
 +In the beginning of this project, detailed knowledge about the research field has been gathered. Analyzing several natural and manmade mechanisms and products served as groundwork for the product development and confirmed the innovative character of the toy in the market. 
 + 
 +Before starting to develop the actual product, several preparations were performed. The team successfully elaborated and applied project management tools to create a positive, effective and efficient working atmosphere that helped to finish deliverables in time. The marketing plan helped to define the final product in detail. It was revealed that the construction kit for children of eight to twelve years has a unique combination of educational values. A market survey was conducted and plans for a successful product´s promotion and selling developed. In addition to that, research on eco-efficiency measures for sustainability revealed the importance of addressing these topics in order to create a profitable company. As a final preparation, ethical concerns regarding this project were addressed. 
 + 
 +Based on this groundwork, a prototype was developed in theory that resembles a fish successfully, ensures steering with a command-response pattern that is easy to handle and makes experimenting on the physics of floating objects possible. A user’s manual has been prepared to guide children through experimenting on their final toy. The key concept is an innovative tail mechanism that required functional tests due to its novelty character. Therefore, a prototype has been implemented that is able to float on the water surface. Due to the short amount of time available for the experimental evaluation, not all functionality tests could be performed. Nevertheless, the tail mechanism already revealed its potential to propel the robot forward. It is expected that its efficiency can be increased significantly by applying a list of proposed adaptations to the mechanism. 
 + 
 +If the future experimental tests confirm the expected high feasibility and efficiency of the robot with its new propulsion mechanism, this project has not only performed first step towards developing an innovative educational toy for children, but also made an important contribution to the scientific research field of biologically inspired swimming robots. 
 ==== 8.2 Future Development ====   ==== 8.2 Future Development ====  
-//Provide here your recommendations for future work.//+ 
 +Following this project, the proposed modifications to the tail mechanism can be performed. They mainly consist of increasing the dimensions of the spring steel shaft and torque of the DC motor that activate the tail segments. When also the longitudinal balance of the prototype is improved, the remaining functionality tests for steering left/right and submersion can be performed. At this state, the prototype will fulfil the initially proposed requirements. 
 + 
 +In addition, different fin models (varying in shape and size) can be experimentally tested in order to detect their effectiveness of steering and stabilizing the robot´s locomotion. Also, it is important to develop easier and safer waterproofing mechanisms because children are expected to easily loose their enthusiasm if water leaks inside the robot and components break. 
 + 
 +Finally, the other proposed features of the toy, which are to teach mechanics and programming, can be further elaborated by providing a user´s manual for the assembly and templates for programming. Before the final toy is ready for sale, the amount of toxic materials and harmful pieces has to be minimized, holding paramount the enhancement of safety for the user.
  
  
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 The following survey was done in the “EscolaSecundária do Agrupamento de Escolas de ÁguasSantas” in Porto, Portugal. The results were displayed in the marketing plan in Chapter 4. The following survey was done in the “EscolaSecundária do Agrupamento de Escolas de ÁguasSantas” in Porto, Portugal. The results were displayed in the marketing plan in Chapter 4.
  
-{{::survey_português.pdf|}}+{{::survey_portugues.pdf|}}

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